The '#VielfaltistLeben' Selfie Wall at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna encourages visitors to engage with the diversity of local plant species. Through illustrated plant characters and their common and scientific names, the installation aims to foster a deeper appreciation for native flora and highlight the urgency of conservation efforts, as many species are endangered.
The '#VielfaltistLeben' project at the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna features an interactive 'Selfie Wall' designed to draw attention to the rich diversity of native plant species. Artist Monika Ernst has created illustrations that personify various plants, presenting their unique characteristics, common names, and scientific classifications. The installation prompts visitors to consider the beauty and importance of these plants, many of which are facing extinction. Detailed profiles are provided for species like the 'Straßen-Gänsefuß' (Chenopodium urbicum), 'Jelängerjelieber' (Lonicera caprifolium), 'Gewöhnliche Kuhschelle' (Pulsatilla vulgaris), 'Stachelspitzige Teichbinse' (Scirpus mucronatus), 'Stinkender Storchschnabel' (Geranium robertianum), 'Echter Faulbaum' (Frangula alnus), and 'Mäusedorn' (Ruscus), highlighting their rarity, endangered status, and specific habitats. The project emphasizes that plant diversity is fundamental to life on Earth and encourages visitors to share their experiences using the hashtag #VielfaltistLeben. Animated GIFs of these plants are also available for social media sharing.
Monika Ernst, an illustrator and designer born in 1996, developed this project during her studies at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Her work often explores nature and storytelling, with a flexible approach to style and technique. The initiative is supported by the Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, a fund of the City of Vienna, underscoring the cultural and educational significance of making biodiversity accessible and understandable to the public.
